Cetuximab for esophageal cancer: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BMC Cancer

Table 3 Pooled results of side effects in patients during treatment

Studies	Variables	No. of studies	No. of subjects	Meta-analysis		Model	Test of heterogeneity
Studies	Variables	No. of studies	No. of subjects	OR (95% CI)	p value	Model	I²	p value
Studies included non-metastatic esophageal cancer	Diarrhea	2	577	2.07 [1.01, 4.25]	0.05^*	F	0	0.35
	Nausea	2	577	0.84 [0.48, 1.46]	0.53	F	16%	0.28
	Emesis	2	577	0.90 [0.48, 1.70]	0.75	F	4%	0.31
	Fatigue	2	577	1.22 [0.78, 1.92]	0.38	F	0	0.47
	Neuropathy	2	577	0.69 [0.30, 1.56]	0.37	F	0	0.45
	Rash	2	577	16.91 [3.20, 89.42]	0.0009^*	F	0%	0.57
	Cardiac disorders	3	877	2.28 [0.78, 6.62]	0.13	F	0	0.47
	Metabolic/laboratory	2	577	1.78 [0.91, 3.51]	0.09	R	58%	0.12
	Dyspnoea	2	577	1.74 [0.62, 4.88]	0.29	F	28%	0.24
	Infection	2	577	1.48 [0.80, 2.74]	0.21	F	43%	0.19
	Vascular disorders	2	543	1.61 [0.82, 3.17]	0.17	F	38%	0.20
	Acute kidney injury	2	619	1.38 [0.31, 6.25]	0.67	F	0	0.84
	Dysphagia	2	619	0.88 [0.51, 1.53]	0.65	F	0	0.97
Studies included metastatic esophageal cancer	Rash	2	142	5.50 [2.14, 14.14]	0.0004^*	R	92%	0.0004

Abbreviations: OR odds ratio, F fixed effects model, R random-effects model, CI confidence interval
*Statistically significant values (p ≤ 0.05), favors CET free

ISSN: 1471-2407